CHAPTER II. 



METHODS OF SECURING. 



In securing canine or feline patients the principal objects of 

 the operator are to place the patient in the safest and best 

 possible position for the operation to be done, and at the same 

 time to ensure the minimum amount of risk for his assistants 

 and himself Especial care on behalf of the operator or his 

 assistants must always be taken where an animal is known to 

 be vicious, and on behalf of the patient when the latter is 

 known to be nervous, fat, or aged, particularly in those breeds 

 (such as pugs, bull-dogs, Blenheim spaniels, etc.) where the 

 nasal bones are short and depressed. With a quiet animal the 

 head and eyes can be examined by. allowing an assistant to 

 hold the patient while the operator lightly grips the throat 

 between the thumb and the forefinger of the one hand, pushing 

 them firmly under the angles of the jaws, the other hand being 

 placed on the top of the head (Fig. i); all attempts at biting are 

 thus prevented by pressing the head and jaws between the two 

 hands. When the animal is at all inclined to be vicious, the 

 best plan to adopt is to request the owner to grip the patient 

 firmly by the back of the neck, whilst the operator places a 

 tape round the jaws in such a manner as to keep them tightly 

 closed. This tape is best affixed in the form of the clove 

 hitch, having the loose ends underneath, and afterwards pass- 

 ing them under the ears to tie in a bow at the back of the poll. 



These loose ends should not be tied round the neck or throat 

 on account of the danger of strangulation. Another method of 

 securing the mouth is to pass the tape twice round the jaws 



